I am honoured to travel to Toronto next week to represent Ontario lung cancer patients as I tell my story to MPP’s at Queen’s Park. If you live in Ontario, it would mean a lot if you would take a few moments to call or email your MPP’s office to ask if she or he will be attending the Lung Cancer Patients – Right2Survive Legislative Reception breakfast on Wednesday February 20 at Queen’s Park (presented by Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, in partnership with Lung Cancer Canada).

It’s not hard to do! Every time I’ve contacted a politician’s office, a very kind person has been very helpful. It only takes a moment or two.

While you’ve got their attention, please also mention that lung cancer is Ontario’s number one cancer killer (Number 1 in the world), but outcomes lag behind all other major cancers. But more than just hearing statistics, people of influence need to meet real people and hear real stories.

Please tell your MPP about me. I’m representing Ontarians affected by lung cancer. Please tell your MPP that I’ll be there and I’d love to meet them.

Here’s the paragraph I wrote for the “leave-behind”, the materials that are left for the elected officials to look at after we’ve left:

We were shocked by my lung cancer diagnosis when our kids were only 6, 10 and 12, because we thought all my healthy choices would protect me from getting it. We are incredibly grateful for the five years which brand new lung cancer treatments have extended my life, starting with an investigational drug in a clinical trial. I can’t tell you how much it means that I’m alive to see my oldest accepted into Electrical Engineering at both Carleton and University of Ottawa. I hope I’ll live long enough for more milestones and memories.

I’ve got more meetings with influential people on the calendar, so I decided to have new cards made.

I paid extra to have our picture on them because I want to emphasize that we are real people, not just numbers. This picture of my family, prior to my diagnosis will help tell our story and communicate the value of lung cancer research to people of influence. My kids don’t just have pictures of their mom. My kids have a Mom who is alive, who loves them and makes a difference in their lives! I have been here to hug them at night and help them navigate life during these significant years, and I am grateful! A mom’s yearning is to be there for her kids. As lung cancer research improves, more of us will be here for our family and friends. We’ll live longer and healthier.

We don’t look the same now: we’ve changed these five years. New lung cancer research (and the grace of God!) has allowed me to continue to be in the picture. I get to see my oldest get accepted into Electrical Engineering programs everywhere he applied! I get to see my middle child play more musical instruments, and play them better and better as he keeps practicing and practicing! I get to see my youngest be the oldest kid in her school, and face some of the challenges 12yo’s encounter. I am so thankful … and I hope I’ll get to be there for many many more milestones and memories!

I’m going to Queen’s Park next week to represent lung cancer patients by telling my story! What a difference this gift of five years has made for our family! Lung Cancer patients need more money for more research for better outcomes for more survivors and better survivorship!

Will you stand with me, with us?

Please ask your MPP to meet me at the #Right2Survive breakfast on Wednesday February 20. (and if you did, please tell me how it went!)

Here are a couple of links to help you get started! To find contact info for your MPP, click here for a current list of all MPP’s. If you’re not sure who your MPP is, click here to find your Electoral District, by entering your postal code or lot and concession address, and you’ll find a link to info about your MPP.

I really hope I’ll get to meet your MPP!

Please also Tweet it out (I’m @JillHW), or post it on fb or Instagram (I’m not there lately but working on resolving the problem.) Thank you!

Thank you to Canadian Cancer Survivors Network for organizing the event in partnership with Lung Cancer Canada.

Thank you for standing with us!

#StrongerTogether #hope #onpoli